Broncos release first 2011 depth chart

1.Without a doubt, the biggest stunner is that Chris Kuper, who received over $13M in guarantees as part of a contract extension in June of 2010 and has been a fixture at RG for four seasons, is listed with the third-team offense behind Russ Hochstein and Eric Olsen. Either this is motivational in nature, or the Broncos really will be scouring the waiver wire for linemen, and hard. FWIW, TJ has been telling me for a long time that he doesn't get why Kuper receives so much praise. Well, apparently Kuper is killing it at practice today, because just in the past hour he's jumped back up to the first team! Or, it was just a typo by the guys running the official site. (Thanks, Royalwithcheese)

2. Despite all the accolades for rookie Julius Thomas' play thus far in camp, and speculation that Richard Quinn's job was in jeopardy, Quinn sits with the second teamers behind newly-acquired Daniel Fells, with Thomas down with the fifth team and fellow rookie Virgil Green sixth.

3. Now, if Thomas is listed down on the depth chart because he's a rookie, that rule doesn't apply to FS Rahim Moore, who joins RT Orlando Franklin as the only and Von Miller as first-year players listed as starters. Behind Moore and Brian Dawkins are Kyle McCarthy and Darcel McBath, respectively - they sit in front of Quinton Carter and David Bruton, both of whom had figured as almost being assured of making the final roster - Carter due to his status as a fourth-round choice and Bruton for his special-teams prowess.

4. Cassius Vaughn must be impressing, as he's listed as Champ Bailey's first backup at LCB and the top kick returner. Syd'Quan Thompson, who had shown flashes at corner and returning kicks last year as a rookie, is on the third team alongside Perrish Cox, whose legal troubles have put his roster spot in obvious danger.

5. Brodrick Bunkley is listed as the starting nose tackle, while the higher-paid Ty Warren is currently his backup. Meanwhile, Kevin Vickerson is listed with the first-teamers ahead of Marcus Thomas.

6. Although they received the bulk of the first-team snaps early on in camp, rookie LBs Mike Mohamed and Nate Irving are down on the third team, behind Lee Robinson and Mario Haggan, respectively. There had been talk earlier in the offseason that Haggan would be a DE this year, but here he is listed as the backup Mike.

7. I'd be remiss not to mention the QBs here, even if the chart shows no surprises. Kyle Orton is currently listed as the starter with Tim Tebow second and Brady Quinn third.

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

Our depth is still very suspect. This depth chart is far from set. we&#8217ll be chasing lots of OL depth once cuts begin.

I think Haggan is on a hot seat, as I don&#8217t see Irving lasting on the practive squad.

Very interesting.

Posted by Orange and Blue on 2011-08-08 20:52:24

Couple of things that come to mind:

Lee Robinson is currently the second-string SAM. I&#8217m excited for the kid, and kind of surprised. there are a total of 1 years&#8217 NFL experience in our first two SAM backers.

The depth chart at interior DL doesn&#8217t mean much to me. What the hell does &#8216starter&#8217 mean, when you play about half the snaps, with another guy playing the other half? Meh. But I think we&#8217re immediately better up the middle than last year due to scheme change and the vet FAs that came in.

Haggan at MIKE? Odd&#8230 Not sure I like it, but if he can play it, let him.

Nate Jones makes me sad. Guys named Nate playing for the Broncos in recent years don&#8217t look too good.

Safety and Corner positions are the ones to watch, it seems. I think we&#8217ll see much different coverage schemes than the last two seasons, and our DBs will be used differently. I hope Bruton isn&#8217t on the hot seat, and I&#8217m worried about CB depth. I&#8217m pulling for Vaughn, though.

Please, someone other than Eddie step up as punt returner. Please?

Posted by Jason Chestnut "Broncos Bassis on 2011-08-08 20:05:04

This is what it&#8217s all about! What fun.

Posted by tunesmith on 2011-08-08 19:29:44

He did, Broncosmontana. He&#8217s a UFA castoff from Detroit, where he worked as a guard. He&#8217s on a futures contract.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-08-08 19:26:32

I&#8217m derelict in my duties. Can&#8217t believe this is the first time I noticed we have a backup center named Manny Ramirez. Hope he came cheap. ; )

Posted by broncosmontana on 2011-08-08 19:21:56

Seeing Gronk listed ahead of Rosario, Thomas and Green is a huge shocker to me. I figured he was gonna get cut. I also have been thinking of Rosario as a FB not a TE.

Posted by DEBroncoFan on 2011-08-08 19:19:17

Glad to see Cassius Vaugn ahead of Cox. I&#8217m sure this will change a lot. Haggan ahead of Irving? Robinson ahead of Mohamed? Though I&#8217ve heard some good things about Robinson. McCarthy ahead of Carter? Jones ahead of Squid? Lot more battles than at QB. O-line starters are good but I wouldn&#8217t be surprised if none of the backups are on the 53 man roster.

Posted by sleepyteak on 2011-08-08 19:12:17

Make that three first-year players: Von is also listed as a starter

Posted by Tropex on 2011-08-08 19:03:05

I&#8217ll echo Doug in that I&#8217m really surprised to see Thomas way down on the depth chart at TE. He&#8217s been running with the first team in practice. Also, with Quinn ahead of Gronk, we can see who has a little more work to do to make the roster. I&#8217m wondering if Rosario is worried.

One other thought (not a new one): wow, our depth at offensive line is frightening. And not in a good way. We better be scouring that waiver wire after the first round of cuts. I&#8217d even bring in Leonard Davis, but he&#8217s probably asking for too much cheese.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2011-08-08 18:58:55

Royalwithcheese, thanks for the heads up on Kuper. Justin, thanks for catching my boneheaded Miller omission. Both have been corrected.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2011-08-08 18:56:16

Also, Miller is a rookie listed as a starter in addition to Moore and Franklin.

Posted by Justin on 2011-08-08 18:53:53

schenanagins! DB.com just seeing if we are all paying attention to something other than QB

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-08-08 18:52:50

My page is showing Kuper as the starter. I think it was a typo.

Posted by Justin on 2011-08-08 18:51:45

Doug, the thing with Kuper is an error on the site. The page has been updated and he&#8217s now a starter.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2011-08-08 18:50:32

I am really shocked by the Kuper move, BUT after rewatching week 16 and 17 yesterday, that O-Line needs something.